Between coolness and practicality the jackets aviator they fly very high and increase the cruising speed. A test? Just look around or simply scroll through any one social homepage to be overwhelmed by it. And even though they crossed almost one hundred years of costume historynot only do they not lose a shred of enamel, but, on the contrary, they acquire new lifeblood as passepartout essential in our wardrobefollowing the wind of the so-called – even if the definition sounds strange and bitter, in this historical period – military style. But why, especially today, do we like them so much?
A more than legitimate question if we think that initially aviator jackets were designed specifically for men bomber crews during World War II, under the epithet B-3 bomber. From the high altitudes (20,000-25,000 feet) and the low temperatures at which they could operate (down to -40°C), the choice of leather, shearling, abundant collars cocoon and any belts applied.
Alex Badia, 2024.
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The declinations of this peculiar model then depart on a tangent until arriving at women's wardrobe in the 70s. In this regard, however, let us remember that the gender breakthrough for aviator clothing, at the time exclusively for men, was far preceded by the legendary Amelia Earhart in the 1930s. Yes, because the first pilot to cross the Atlantic Ocean solo, tired of suits designed for men only, she created her own line of practical and sporty garments with the support of none other than Elsa Schiaparelli, designing the two-person aviation suit pieces. A merit, you look a little, passed unnoticed and a source of inspiration for the wholeutility style contemporary.

Amelia Earhart.
BettmannIf on the one hand theaviator jacket has been stripped of its utilitarian roots by embracing every possible corner of the mainstream, on the other hand this promptly infiltrates the narrative that is the creator of its success. As in the case of the recent miniseries Masters of the Air, branded Apple TV+ and produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, about the events of the aviators of the 100th Bomber Group of the US Air Force. In which, Austin Butler's integrity is supported by his impeccable brushed collar, made by Eastman Leather Clothing. In addition to becoming an alleged accomplice to an increase in searches for this item of 68% compared to the same period last year according to the retailer John Lewis.

Austin Butler and Callum Turner in Masters of the Air (2024).
Supplied by LMK / ipa-agency.netIt goes without saying that the main reference from the screens, however, remains, always and in any case, theaviator brown with military insignia of the fascinating Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986), dusted off in 2022 with the sequel Top Gun: Maverick. But before and after him, the “heroes' jacket” never stopped cementing its status. For example, on Robert Redford in The Great Waldo Pepper (1975), or in the less cited Memphis Belle (1990), rather than Sylvester Stallone's outfits in Rocky VI (1986).

Top Gun (1986).
Moving onto the catwalks, its presence is now a constant certainty, which is reconfirmed without surprise also for next autumn/winter, reinterpreted by Sacai in a street or at Kenzo complete with gloves matchy-matchy. More ironic is Loewe's proposal which combines theaviator to a pair of trendy tights, while Dries Van Noten embraces theallure glam-chic in the nuance of antique pink combined with saffron yellow, up to the academic intellectualism of Wales Bonner and the much talked about version cowboy by Louis Vuitton. It's impossible not to also mention Mr. Giorgio Armani, who for Emporio's autumn/winter 2023 had even conceived the entire collection around theaviator style.

Loewe men's autumn/winter 2024-25.
WWD/Getty Images
Dries Van Noten men's autumn/winter 2024-25.
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Louis Vuitton men's autumn/winter 2024-25.
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Kenzo men's autumn/winter 2024-25.
Estrop/Getty ImagesThanks to its extreme versatility and its DNA imbued with brave heroismamerican dream, is definitely a styling ally, giving the look, whether casual or sophisticated, something resolute. From the timeless pairing of jeans and T-shirts so dear to stars like Brad Pitt or Nicolas Cage, to shirts alternating with turtlenecks combined with tailored trousers. Or even, why not, a couple of cargo ships oversized.

Street style aviator jacket.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Street style aviator jacket.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Street style aviator jacket.
Edward Berthelot/Getty ImagesSynonym of veneration for pilots first and then of freedom, the expert Zachary Weiss believes that the reason for the jacket's current popularity aviator has to do with the dramatic character of its origins, as he told The Guardian: «We have entered the era of trendy menswear, where every man is the star of his own movie. So why not play the role of an aviation hero for a day?”
At the same time, this fits into the broader context of the so-called Warcoreas Vogue already in 2018 he defined the style inspired by military uniforms and beyond, and which for a handful of years now has never stopped recurring on the costume stage with balaclavas, bullet-proof waistcoats-waist bags, harnesses techmetal buckles post-industrialcompact trench coats as a uniform, camouflage patterns or monochrome persimmons, becoming the trademark of brands like Alyx And At Cold Wall.
And in a certain sense – it comes naturally to us to think – by reflecting and re-elaborating the seed of social tensions, and therefore of an understandably generalized anxiety, exploded together with missiles and bombings in the horror of the dust of the wars that have broken out in recent years. From the resistance in Rojava to the protests in Hong Kong, from the rubble in Kiev to the raids on the Gaza Strip. It will be a wish of protection, Perhaps. From feel confident, powerful and ready for anything like Maverick in our pseudo-armor. Or a way to exorcise the pixelated war on our screens? At the limit of the perverse paradox to which we are tragically accustomed, where the most devastating reality ends up in dematerialized scrolling between a make-up advert and a cooking tutorial. Assimilated as one aesthetic universe among many?
Source: Vanity Fair

I’m Susan Karen, a professional writer and editor at World Stock Market. I specialize in Entertainment news, writing stories that keep readers informed on all the latest developments in the industry. With over five years of experience in creating engaging content and copywriting for various media outlets, I have grown to become an invaluable asset to any team.